Gate-latch



UNITED STATEs l' Patented March 1, 1904.

PATENT OIE-FICE.`

WALTER A. SEBRING, oE'BLIssFrELD, MICHIGAN.`

GATE-LATCH.

sPEcIIcA'rIoN mmmgpart of Letters Patent No. 753,323, dated March 1,1904.

Application filed October 19, 1903.

reference being had tothe accompanying drawing,- and to the figures ofreference marked thereon, which forms a part of this specification.

M'y invention relates to an improved form of gate-'latch for use incennectionwith any of the ordinary forms of swinging gates, and has foritsobject to provide an article of thisI class that is simple'and cheapin its construction, efli-cient in operation, and capable of adjustmentto compensate for the shrinkage or i' falling away of the gate from thegate-post.

lWhile the'essential and characteristic features of my invention arenecessarily susceptible of modification, the preferred embodimentthereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, 'which is aperspective vertical ele-A vation of the same in normally extendedposition as it appears attached to a post?. v

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a gatcfpost orlother stationaryobject in contlguon's position to the free edge of agate, to

which the supporting-bracket' 2, having the horizontally-'disposedflange2' thereonfis rigidly secured by means of the bolts 'r other fastening'means 3. .The iiange 2' ofthe bracket 2 is provided at its outer edgewithqthel bearings 4 4, invwhich is pivotally mounted the latch 5 ofmyinvention. The said latch 5, which 1 have shown as comprising a singlepiece of wire, is bent to form the vertical arms 6, extending upwardlyfrom said pivotal point, the thumb-levers extending rearwardly from saidpivotal point and a horizontal portion connecting the up per end of saidarms 6, said portion forming the rentrant bend or recess 8 for thereception of the Contignous'edge of a gate adapted to be engagedthereby. Therear 'o r closed portion of saId-. recess 8 is substantiallyin horizontal alinementwith the upper Serial No. 177,570. (No model.) u

ward portions thereof areconnected to said 'arms by thediagonally-disposed' rearwardly# 'extending portions 9 9, which act asbeveled ways for receiving the thrust of the gate and forcing the latchback when the gate is being closed. The bevels 9, being provided oneither side oi' the recess 8, Vpermit of the locking of the gate whenswinging in either direction with relation to the latch 5.

It will be apparent that whileI have shown the latch 5 as being formedfrom a single piece of wire,Y the same may be cast or otherwise madefrom metal or other suitable material, so long as the spirit of myinvention is not departed from.

To adapt the latch 5 to be normallyi retained i in extendedposition'from thcupost l and in engagement with the contiguous portionof a gate, 1 provide the spring 10, which is coiled about aretaining-bar 11, secured to the flange 2' and has its cnds'extended andengaging the arms 6 (i ot' said latch.

The outward swinging movement of the latch 5 is limited by the chain 12,which has one end secured to the portion 8 of said latch endslof thearms Spi the latclnand the ier. I

and its other end removably secured to the screw-hook 13 on the post i.Owing tothe fact that gates are generally located in exposed pla'cesthey are subject to frequent changes in size and shape depending uponthe condition of theweather, and it is therefore important to be able tolengthen or shorten the chain 12, thus varying the oscillatory' movementof said latch and permitting of a nice adjustment thereof with relationto the gate to be engaged. Thismay be accomplished by turning the hook13 away from the lug 13', removing the engaging link of the chain 12therefrom, and reengaging it at the desired point,

While I have shown the latch 5 as being mounted on the bracket 2slightly in advance of the post l, itwill be apparent that said latchmay be mounted within a transverse@- proved latch may be secured to themoving A edge of the gate as well as to the gate-post, as shown Y, .i

roo4 l Hav-ing thus described my invention, whatI claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters atent, isv 1. .In a gate-latch, a memberhaving a hori- 5 zontally-disposed recess therein, beveled Ways leadingrearwardlyfrom the mouth of said recess,.and oneor morevertically-disposed pivotally-mounted supporting-arms, 'means inengagement with said arms for normally re- I tainingsa'id' member in oneposition, fand means for limiting the oscillatory movement L thereof,substantially as described.

2. In' a gate-latch, a member having a horizontally-recessed portion andvertically-dis- I posed pivotally f mounted supportingarms,

beveled ways leading rearwardly in opposite.

directions from said recess, a spring in engagement with said armsfornormally retaining said member in one position, and for limitingtheoscillation ofvsaid member,

substantially as described. i

3. A gate-latch comprising a supporting- -bracket, a verticallydisposedmember pivoted thereto and having areces's in a portiontliereof adaptedto receive a contiguous obect, beveled ways leading from the mouth ofsaid recess, one or more arms on said member, means for normallyretaining said member'in one position, and adjustable means for limitingthe oscillatoryimovcment thereof, 'substantiallyns described.

'4. In a gatelatch,; api'votally; mounted member having aliorizontallyfdisposed recess 1n a portion thereof, means for normallyretaining said member in one position, and adjustable --means -forlimiting the'oscillatory.

movement of said' member.

- 5. A gate-latch comprising a gate-engaging member pivotally secured to:a stationary-6bgec't and having a recess therein. adaptedN t receiveand engage'ftlie contiguous edge oi ay gate, means fornormally retaining'said member in such engaged position,- and )ijustable means forlimiting the pivotal movement Aof said member, substantially asdescribed. ,v

Intestimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresencepf tw-o s ub

